Abstract
Addictive drugs like cocaine, ethanol, and morphine activate signal transduction pathways that regulate brain gene expression. Such regulation is modulated by the presence of certain transcription factor proteins present in a given neuron. This article summarizes the effects of several addictive drugs on transcriptional processes contributing to the development of a drug-dependent state. The characterization of drug-induced changes in gene expression shows promise for improving our understanding of drug-addiction phenomena and cellular modes of cocaine, ethanol, and morphine action.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Brain / drug effects*
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Brain / metabolism*
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Central Nervous System Depressants / adverse effects
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Central Nervous System Depressants / metabolism*
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Cocaine / adverse effects
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Cocaine / metabolism*
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / metabolism*
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Ethanol / adverse effects
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Ethanol / metabolism*
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Humans
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Morphine / adverse effects
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Morphine / metabolism*
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Narcotics / adverse effects
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Narcotics / metabolism*
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Substance-Related Disorders / etiology
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Substance-Related Disorders / metabolism*
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Transcription Factors / drug effects
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Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*
Substances
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Central Nervous System Depressants
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Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
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Narcotics
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Transcription Factors
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Ethanol
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Morphine
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Cocaine